Substitute Teacher / Tennessee
2026 data Tennessee board official source

Tennessee Substitute Teacher License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

What the state board actually requires: fees, renewal cycle, and requirements from official records.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Fills in for absent teachers. Requirements range from diploma to license.

What the Tennessee data shows for Substitute Teachers

Becoming a licensed substitute teacher in Tennessee means clearing a defined set of hurdles: 2,000 training hours, a passing score on a state-approved exam, plus a background history check. Tennessee regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Degree".

Upfront cost is $100 on a 5-year cycle. Continuing education is not a listed requirement for this profession in Tennessee, so the annualized maintenance burden is lower than in states that mandate ongoing hours.

Tennessee evaluates out-of-state credentials case-by-case rather than through a published reciprocity list.

Licensing Ease Score

F
Licensing Ease Score
36/100
Substitute Teacher · Tennessee

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training F
2,000 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee C-
$100
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden N/A
N/A
Renewal fee annualized over the renewal cycle
Continuing Education N/A
N/A
Continuing-education hours annualized over the renewal cycle
Experience Required N/A
N/A
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Tennessee

Education / Training Hours
Degree
2,000 hours
Exam Requirement
Required
Initial License Fee
$100
Renewal Fee
N/A
Renewal Cycle
Every 5 years
Continuing Education
Not required
Criminal History Check
Required

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Substitute Teacher All Tennessee licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Tennessee licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Substitute Teacher in Tennessee? ▼
In Tennessee, the license path calls for 2000 education/training hours, a passing exam score, and a $100 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Substitute Teacher in Tennessee? ▼
To become a licensed substitute teacher in Tennessee, you must meet the state's requirements including 2000 hours of education. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Tennessee licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Substitute Teacher license to Tennessee from another state? ▼
Out-of-state substitute teacher credentials get a case-by-case review in Tennessee rather than automatic recognition. Interstate compacts exist for a number of professions and might still help. Confirm the details with the Tennessee licensing board.
Does Tennessee require a background check for Substitute Teacher licensing? ▼
Yes, Tennessee requires a criminal background check as part of the substitute teacher licensing process. Disqualifying offenses and review criteria are determined by the state licensing board.

Related Guides

What to do with this substitute teacher license

Substitute Teacher in Tennessee is one requirement row in a substitute teacher-wide, 50-state comparison.

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Tennessee licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.